Discover a land filled with Viking history. Explore a land rich with culture. Travel to a land overflowing with natural beauty. From west to east, Newfoundland & Labrador will undoubtedly leave you with memories that will last a lifetime.

This comprehensive tour features the best of "the Far East of the Western World". Travel from the northernmost tip of the island of Newfoundland to the most easterly point in North America through national parks - including Gros Morne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn of ancient peoples - the Maritime Archaic, Vikings, and Basques - as you travel to coastal fishing communities to meet the friendly and hospitable people of today. Boat tours provide the opportunity to see whales, thousands of seabirds, and, depending on the time of year, icebergs! Sample the local food and drink to become an honorary "Newfoundlander"!

Dates

2015: May 29*; June 12, 26; July 10, 24*; August 7, 14, 21; September 4

Day 1: Arrive Halifax, NSArrive in Halifax and check in at your accommodations for the night. Your lovely hotel is ideally located in the downtown core. This evening meet your fellow travelers and Tour Director at a welcome reception. Depending on your time of arrival, you may wish to book a Gray Line Tour of Halifax, Peggy's Cove or Lunenburg.

Day 2: Halifax, NS to Port aux Basques, NLTravel via Truro and Antigonish to cross over the Canso Causeway to Cape Breton Island. At North Sydney, board a Marine Atlantic ferry for a relaxing crossing to Port aux Basques, your port of entry on the island of Newfoundland. (CB, D)

Note: The Marine Atlantic Ferry schedule changes yearly. As such, an overnight crossing including cabin accommodation may be necessary.

Day 3: Port aux Basques to Port au Choix, NLDrive through the Codroy Valley and on to Corner Brook, the largest city on the west coast. Your journey continues through Gros Morne National Park – to be enjoyed later on during your tour – to the fishing community of Port au Choix. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Port au Choix to L'anse au Clair, NLBoard the ferry from St. Barbe to cross the Strait of Belle Isle to Labrador. Continue to Red Bay National Historic Site where the Basques had a whaling station in the 16th century. Spend the night in Labrador. (B, D)

Day 5: L'anse au Clair to St. Anthony, NLReturn to Newfoundland and travel to L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, the first cultural discovery in the world to receive recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hear of the Vikings who walked here over a thousand years ago. (B, D)

Day 7: Gros Morne Local TouringDiscover why Gros Morne National Park is truly one of the highlights of your tour. Visit the Lobster Cove Lighthouse. Enjoy a scenic boat tour (weather permitting) as you learn the geology of the Tablelands, see the bald eagles that frequent the deep waters of the fjord, and hear the history of the small villages nestled on the shores. It is an unforgettable experience; some say the scenery is unequaled in eastern Canada. (B, Box L, D)

Day 8: Cow Head to Gander, NLHave your camera at the ready as your time in Gros Morne National Park draws to a close. Later travel through central Newfoundland and on to Gander where you spend two nights. (B, D)

Day 9: Twillingate TouringA scenic drive along the rocky coast of Notre Dame Bay leads to the beautiful outport of Twillingate. At the tip of the island, visit Long Point Lighthouse and the local co-op. Return to Gander to visit the North Atlantic Aviation Museum before returning to your hotel. (B, L)

Day 10: Gander to Clarenville, NLHead out on the Trans-Canada Highway to visit Terra Nova National Park, the most easterly of Canada's beautiful national parks. Keep your camera close at hand for wildlife along the way. Learn about the hard life of light keepers at Cape Bonavista Lighthouse Provincial Historic Site. This afternoon stroll through the lanes of the charming town of Trinity and see several historic buildings including a typical 20th century rural merchant's house and a counting house. Arrival at your Clarenville hotel for the night. (B, L, D)

Day 11: Clarenville to St. John's, NLArrive in the capital city of St. John's for a two-night stay. Enjoy an intriguing tour of this old seaport. See the Victorian architecture of the downtown area, the busy modern waterfront, the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Confederation Building, and the panoramic view from Signal Hill National Historic Site. (B, D)

Day 12: St. John's Area TouringThis morning, travel to Bay Bulls for one of the highlights of your trip ...a boat tour to the Witless Bay Bird Sanctuary (weather permitting). Later visit the most easterly point in North America, Cape Spear National Historic Site. The remainder of the day is free to explore on your own. (B)